COVID restrictions extension a bitter pill

The impacts of the extension of the Greater Sydney lockdown and restrictions in regional economies by a further week is a crushing blow for business owners and their employees, according to the regions peak business organisation, Business Hunter.

The Premier has formally announced the lockdown and restrictions will be extended until midnight on 16 July.

“While the NSW Government has always balanced the health and economic outcomes of this pandemic, there’s no hiding that this will be a huge blow for business, big and small, right across the Hunter and the NSW economy,” said Business Hunter Chief Executive Officer Bob Hawes.

“We were hopeful there may have been consideration of easing conditions in the regions given there have still been no cases outside the lockdown area since its start on 26 June, but this will not be the case.

“Bearing in mind employees in regions don’t qualify for Commonwealth support and there’s no JobKeeper this time around, we know this is putting pressure on businesses and employees.

“Balancing the health and economic pressures of this pandemic is a very difficult assignment for the Government, and business understands the importance of community safety above all else.

“It is pleasing that the Premier acknowledged and recognised the needs and importance of engaging with business in setting restrictions but disappointing more could not be done in the regions at this time.

“Certainty is the key for business and the community and like the Premier, we’re hopeful this short continuation of lockdown and restrictions snaps the current trend so we don’t experience periods of going in and out of lockdown and uncertainty.